The Comment Factory

What They Said:

“It’s important for people of faith to go on record as saying we have no conflict with science. Otherwise, people may get an impression that religious people are dumb, ignorant and hostile to science.”

Rev. James Rhodenhiser, rector of St. Clare of Assisi Episcopal Church in Ann Arbor, as his congregation took part in Evolution Weeekend on the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth.

What They Mean:

“It is important for religious people to say that “we” have no conflict with science — not because we are interesting in exploring this issue — but because we need to keep up a public pretense that we are not completely out of touch with reality.”

Robert Trivers